MDE Publishes CAFO Permit After 10-month Delay
The Maryland Department of the Environment released on their website today the 2025 general discharge permit for animal feeding operations, better known as a CAFO permit, replacing a previous permit that expired in July 2025. Chicken growers in Maryland have run their farms under the terms of the expired permit, as required by the state, but no farmer has been able to apply for a new CAFO permit - a required step to build or expand a chicken farm, or even to replace older chicken houses with new ones - because of the department's admitted delay. With this new permit taking effect on May 8, Maryland broiler chicken growers will soon begin the process of applying for the new permit.
"We welcome the news that MDE has finalized the 25AF permit as required by Maryland law, after a nearly 10-month delay," said Holly Porter, Delmarva Chicken Association executive director. "The holdup stalled an estimated $30 million in business investment by builders, realtors, lenders, equipment manufacturers and farmers to build modern chicken houses to replace older houses coming out of service. DCA will be reviewing the final permit and comparing it with any public comments issued to MDE on the draft. Once we analyze the permit, line by line, we'll detail any important changes that Maryland's family farmers raising broiler chickens need to know about."
The permit revision process has been happening in the context of agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed reducing its impact on the bay, cutting its nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment load by adapting conservation measures on farms and improving chickens' feed conversion through genetic research and feed composition.
Because this permit delay was so worrying and costly for our members, DCA supported legislation in the General Assembly (House Bill 395 and Senate Bill 371) to make sure a permit delay by MDE won't ever again impose a de facto moratorium on chicken-farm investment. The General Assembly passed the bills unanimously, and we were glad to see lawmakers so clearly state a permit delay can't happen again. We're confident that the legislation will soon be signed into law, giving chicken growers reassurance that Maryland values their contributions to the state's $5.5 billion chicken economy - and won't allow regulatory delays to stop these family farmers from investing, growing and thriving.
About Delmarva Chicken Association
Delmarva Chicken Association, founded in 1948, is the Delmarva chicken industry's voice as the premier membership association focusing on advocacy, education and member relations. DCA's vision is to be the most-respected chicken organization in the United States. For more information about the Delmarva Chicken Association, visit www.dcachicken.com or call 302-856-9037.